An externally pressurised bearing with variable film thickness

Summary In this paper, a theoretical study of an externally pressurised bearing with variable film thickness has been presented. The load capacity and the frictional drag on the rotor have been determined. It has been shown that the frictional drag decreases as the angle, which the rotor surface makes with the stator, increases, but the load capacity and pressure do not depend upon it.Nomenclature angle between the rotor surface and the stator - angular velocity of the rotor - viscosity of the lubricant - h variable film thickness - L depth of the recess - p pressure - p _i inlet pressure - p _e exit pressure - Q rate of flow - r radial independent parameter - R ₀ radius of the recess - R outer radius of the stator - T frictional drag on the rotor - u radial velocity - v tangential velocity - w load capacity - z axial independent parameter